Mukden, Oct. 1.
Gangsterism is the latest curse! to afflict semi-prostrate Yokohama.
The most recent outrage involved prominent foreign resident of this city who was badly injured by mob of about a score of ruffians. The victim was Mr. F. C, Thompson, agent here for the Dollar Steamship -Line. Hawkers called Jat the Dollar Line office and asked {for permits to go aboard the Dollar land Admiral Oriental boats. Owing complaints from passengers that these lawkers are really a nuisance, that they try to browbeat and bully passengers into buying something land that their prices are ridiculously Jexorbitant, Mr. Thompson issued lorders, on instructions received from head office, that no permits should be issued to this class of trader to go aboard the vessels.
As a Dollar boat was putting in slowly from the breakwater towards the pier, Mr. Thompson, in the discharge of his duties, got ear and proceeded to the pier. He was talking to a couple lof friends, one being a lady, when bank of about 30 ugly-looking Troughs approached him and request~ ed that he come aside and talk to them. refused, whereupon they surrounded him, abused him in th filthiest language and then merci-Hessly: beat him,.He was knocked to jand fro, one ugly blow all but injuring his eyesight, His clothes were soon dirty and he was kicked land hit as though ko was a football.
Mr. T. M. Laffin, an old resident lof Yokohania and a sexagenarian, leave to Mr. Thompson's rescue and tried to pacify the mob, who thereupon set on old Mr. " Laffin who ceived some ugly bruises. Fortue nately for the two foreigners, Mr. [Laftin, who is a stevedore and was Jon the pier also in the legitimate Jexetcise of his duties, had a gang Jof his coolies working nearby. He shouted to the foreman and the Jcoolies came up and put the gangsters to flight.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.